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Communicable Illnesses in Dogs

Canine Distemper

Canine Distemper is a viral illness that attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system of canines. It is a very contagious and potentially
fatal viral illness, spread by airborne exposure in respiratory droplets from an infected dog or wild animal. Therefore, prevention is based on insuring
your dog is vaccinated properly, avoiding large groups of dogs with your dog prior to vaccination (i.e. puppies), and preventing exposure to wild canines.
All dogs are susceptible to canine distemper; however, as is the case for most illnesses, the very young and elderly dogs, and non-vaccinated dogs,
are at the highest risk.

Signs and Symptoms

Typically, the first sign of distemper is eye discharge, progressing to fever, nasal discharge, coughing, decreased energy, decreased appetite, vomiting
and diarrhea. Although it is not uncommon with Kerry’s to have eye discharge, if it changes or is in any way different than the usual, or is combined
with other symptoms, it is worth getting checked. If left untreated, distemper can cause seizures, twitching and paralysis secondary to the involvement
of the nervous system. Due to the varied nature of these symptoms, any suspicion that your dog may have acquired the distemper virus should be treated
seriously, and a veterinary visit is warranted.

Treatment

Your veterinarian will diagnose distemper on clinical appearance and history. In addition to this, because distemper is a viral illness, treatment is based
on supportive care and preventing secondary infections due to weakened immunity.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal virus secreted in the saliva that attacks the nervous system. It is transmitted to both humans and animals through a bite from an infected
source. Only mammals can contract rabies, mainly skunks, raccoons, bats, coyotes, and foxes, but also cats, dogs and cattle. Dogs are a significant
source of rabies in other countries, and travelers outside of North America should be aware of this. Vaccination for both humans and dogs is the best
way to prevent rabies.

Signs and Symptoms

Once the signs of rabies are exhibited, it is almost always fatal. It enters the body and travels through the nerves to the brain, causing fearfulness,
aggression, excessive drooling, difficulty swallowing, staggering, tremors, seizures, photophobia, and generalized bizarre or uncharacteristic behaviour.

Treatment

Again, treatment is usually supportive, but as previously stated, if your dog becomes symptomatic, rabies is almost always fatal.

Heartworm Disease

Heartworm disease is a parasitic illness that affects dogs, cats, and ferrets. It is spread from animal to animal by mosquitoes. Once infected, the larvae
mature into adults over approximately six months. During the first three months they migrate through the host body to eventually reach the blood vessels
of the lungs. In the next three months the adult heartworms will enter the heart and will grow up to about 14 inches in length. Over time the heartworms
will cause significant damage to the heart and lungs, and may survive for five to seven years in canines.

Signs and Symptoms

The disease may not show any initial signs or symptoms. However, as heartworm progresses your dog may exhibit coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite, difficulty
breathing, and shortness of breath or may easily tire with any activity.

Treatment

Heartworm is diagnosed through a blood test. Sometimes it is necessary to also perform a chest x-ray and echocardiogram. Prevention is the key with heartworm,
and is almost 100% preventable with the use of a variety of formulations. (Ask your vet what they recommend, especially if travelling to an area with
Heartworm presence). Heartworm is treatable, especially if caught early and your dog is in otherwise good health. The goal of treatment is to kill
the adult worms and any larvae present in the dogs system. Your dog will need a period of hospitalization and complete rest to reduce any inflammatory
response as the worms die and are absorbed by the body.

Internal Parasites

Most of the internal parasites found in dogs are worms and single celled organisms that live in the intestines. The most common are roundworms, hookworms,
tapeworms, coccidian, and giardia.

Roundworms

Roundworms are the most common internal parasite found in dogs. It is passed from animal to animal through feces. Dogs can then ingest the parasite through
eating infected soil, licking contaminated fur or paws, or by drinking contaminated water. Female dogs can also pass roundworms onto their puppies
before or after birth.

The main health issue with a roundworm infection is malnutrition, as the roundworms live in the small intestine and steal nutrients. This infection is
also zoonotic, meaning it can be passed to humans.

Hookworms

These are the second most common intestinal parasite found in canines. Your dog can become infected when the larvae enter the lining of the mouth or penetrate
the skin. These parasites are particularly dangerous as they hook into the intestine of the canine and suck blood, leading to life-threatening blood
loss, anemia and malnutrition. Hookworms are also zoonotic.

Whipworms

Whipworms are passed in the same way as roundworms and hookworms. Your dog may become infected through ingestion of fecal matter (i.e. infected soil, licking
paws). Whipworms also bury their heads into the intestine of the dog and suck blood, however they are generally less harmful and usually do not cause
health issues unless your dog has a previous health issue making them more susceptible.

Tapeworms

Dogs become infected with tapeworms when they eat infected fleas or lice. They live in the small intestine and steal nutrients from the food the dog eats.
It is usually diagnosed when the egg sacs are noticed in the stool or under the dogs tail (they look like small grains of rice).

Coccidia

This single-celled parasite is also contracted by eating contaminated soil or licking paws. Coccidia damages the lining of the intestine, preventing your
dog from absorbing nutrients from food. The usual signs and symptoms are bloody, watery diarrhea, causing dehydration and malnutrition. Coccidia is
highly contagious, good hygiene is essential in prevention of this parasite.

Giardia

This is a parasite that I know all to well! Both Mac and I contracted it, on separate occasions, through water contamination while camping. It is a single
celled parasite that damages the lining of the intestine, leading to malnutrition. Diarrhea, vomiting and abdominal pain are the main signs and symptoms
of this parasite. Giardia is very difficult to diagnose because it may take testing several stool samples before it can be found. The damage caused
to Mac’s intestines caused a secondary illness of pancreatitis, and he now has ongoing ulcerative colitis. Below is a picture of Mac on intravenous
fluids at home, to treat dehydration.

General Signs and Symptoms

As a rule, healthy dogs may not show signs of a worm infection, however, if there is a change in appetite, change in skin/coat, diarrhea, or excessive
coughing it is worth a visit to the vet. Cross contamination can easily be prevented through good hand washing, ensuring droppings are picked up, and
if you have a pregnant dog or new puppies, a deworming program may be suggested.

External Parasites

Demodectic Mange Mites

These are microscopic and not highly contagious, with the exception of a mother dog to puppies. It appears are patches of scaly skin and redness around
the eyes, mouth, legs, and trunk and may indicate an underlying medical condition.

Sarcoptic Mange Mites

These mites are also know as scabies, and can affect all dogs at any time of year. Sarcoptic Mange is also highly contagious. They burrow into the skin
and cause extreme itching. Medication is required to kill these mites and sanitizing the dogs’ environment is necessary to prevent a subsequent infestation.

Ear Mites

These mites confine themselves to the ears and immediate surrounding area. They cause intense itching and irritation of the ear canal. Your dog may exhibit
excessive head shaking and scratching at the ears, causing bleeding and sores. Through ear cleaning and medication is necessary to treat ear mites.

Ticks

Ticks are most often found around the neck, ears, and underarms or groin areas. They bite and burrow their heads into the host, sucking blood. Tick bites
can cause skin irritation, anemia, and also infectious diseases like Lyme Disease and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, depending on geographic area and
type of tick. The most worrisome tick if the blacklegged or deer tick. Prompt removal of ticks is the best treatment. To remove a tick, grab it with
a pair of tweezers as close to the skin of your dog as possible, and pull gently without twisting. Following removal, crush it without touching the
fluids that may carry disease. Don’t try to smother it with Vaseline or alcohol, or try to burn it; these tactics may cause the tick to regurgitate
its saliva into the dog, increasing the risk of disease. Your dog can be treated with a tick preventative treatment during tick season.

Question of the Week

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5 - moves with ease in the company of other dogs. They love my Kerry and she loves them.
4 - Generally enjoys playing with other dogs but it depends...
3 - MyKerry is not generally that interested in the company of other dogs.
2 - My Kerry would rather not mix with most other dogs.
1 - My Kerry does not enjoy the canine social scene.
I have more than one Kerry and they are quite different.
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5 - moves with ease in the company of other dogs. They love my Kerry and she loves them.

31%

4 - Generally enjoys playing with other dogs but it depends...

26%

3 - MyKerry is not generally that interested in the company of other dogs.